Early offense, Ellenbest gem lead to 3-1 win

CEDAR RAPIDS, Ia. - The Lansing Lugnuts (11-20, 48-49) scored three early runs to back six scoreless innings from Mike Ellenbest in a 3-1 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels (14-17, 53-48) on Monday afternoon at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Lugnuts finished their six-game Iowa road trip with a 2-4 record, winning one of three against Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities.

In the top of the first inning, Nash Knight delivered a two-run single off Kernels starter Anthony Marzi (Loss, 3-1) and Yeltsin Gudino followed with a successful run-scoring squeeze.

Marzi settled in from there, tossing seven innings for his fourth straight quality start since signing as a free agent out of the independent Atlantic League.

He was outdueled by the former Cardinal from Saginaw Valley State. One start after allowing nine runs in an inning-plus at Quad Cities, Ellenbest (Win, 4-6) scattered four hits and two walks, coaxed three doubles plays, and struck out three batters - the final three batters that he faced.

Nick Hartman pitched a perfect seventh, striking out two.

In the eighth, the game grew tense. Juliandry Higuera walked the first three Kernels he faced and tossed a wild pitch to bring Cedar Rapids within 3-1 and put the tying runs in scoring position. Manager Cesar Martin stayed with Higuera for one more batter - a strikeout of Christian Cavaness - then turned to reliever Griffin Glaude . A foulout and comebacker later, and the Lugnuts were out of the inning.

Glaude (Save, 1) then set the side down in order in the ninth, striking out two, to close out the win.

Following a day off Tuesday, the Lugnuts open a seven-game homestand on a Winning Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against the Dayton Dragons. Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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